Sorting machine for record cards



Jan. 23, 1934.

C.CAMPBELL SORTING MACHINE FOR RECORD CARDS Original Filed Dec. 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l Flag.

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SORTING MACHINE FOR RECORD CARDS Original Filed Dec. 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Al) l0 8 7 3 l 8 BG g O O O O '\2 [OJO O O O g O O O o vH l0 9 8 7 6 5 4, 3 2 0 Q/Z U U U f [l u u u U Jan. 23, 1934. v c. CAMPBELL 1,944,680

SORTING MACHINE FOR RECORD CARDS Original Filed Dec. 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FICE.

Patented Jan. 23,1934

UNITED STATES PATENT lOFFICE SORTING MACHINE FOR RECORD CARDS Original application December 6, 1927, Serial No. 238,011, and in Great Britain December 31, 1926. Divided and this application December 19, 1928. Serial No. 327,038

28 Claims. (Cl. 209-110) This invention relates to record card controlled machines of the kind which employs cards having more than one hole in a column, for example, Peirce type cards wherein there are only four .7 hole positions in a column to represent the nine digits and Zero, some of the digits being represented by two holes.

It is an object of the present invention to improve analyzing devices responsive to combinaln tional hole cards, and in particular coordinate the same with a sorting machine whereby such cards may be sorted according to their representations.

This application is a division of the parent application of Charles Campbell, filed December 6, 1927, Serial No. 238,011 which parent application corresponds to the foreign application led in England, December 31, 1926.

As fully shown herein and in the parent application above referred to the analyzing devices comprise a set of switches which are selectively operated by a trip lever actuated in accordance with the perforations of a card column to thereby close one or more switches. The other switches are closed by a commutator device which effects a timed impulse for the purpose of selecting type, controlling counter wheels, or as in the present device for determining the receptacle the card analyzed Will be delivered to.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means whereby Peirce cards having more than one card eld may be sorted and to provide a selective means whereby cards may be sorted in accordance with the representations of any of the card fields.

The above and other features of the invention will appear from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an end elevation of an impulse changing device adapted for use with combinational hole cards.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an illustration of a Peirce type card.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing in a simplified form the device of Figs. 1 and 2.

' Fig. 5 is a view of parts of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a sorting mechanism and Figs. '7 and 8 are circuit diagrams related to Fig. 6.

An arrangement will now be described which will enable the sorting of a moving card 205 of the kind shown in Fig. 3, in which twelve numerals -11 can be represented by one or more holes in four positions A, B, C, D, in any column. Such a card is known in the art as a Peirce card.

An electromagnet 10 is placed in the circuit of the card reading brush 206 (Fig. '7) which reads a twelve hole column on the card 205. Its armature 14 (Fig. 1) constitutes a latch for a springpressed trip lever 16. When a hole in a card passes the reading brush the electromagnet is energized and the trip lever is unlatched. This is the only operation directly performed by the card reading circuit. This circuit 18 (Fig. '7) also includes the usual cam contacts 20 and card lever contacts 22 and also a pair of contacts 24 (see also Fig. 1) normally held closed by a rod 25 connected to the trip lever 16 and arranged to open when the trip lever is released by the armature 14, thereby interrupting the circuit and preventing sparking at the brushes.

A disk 114 of insulating material is mounted to rotate with its edges in proximity to the hooked end of the trip lever 16 and is geared to the card feeding mechanism (not shown) in such a manner that it makes one revolution for two complete card cycles. One half of the disk carries four trip pawls 116 so spaced that each is approaching the end of the trip lever when the corresponding hole position on the card is at the reading brush. The plate 114 also carries a series of four switches 122. The switches 122 are each held open by a plunger 32 having a groove 34 in which engages one end of a pivoted trip pawl 116 the other end of which projects from the edge of the disk 114 so as to miss the hooked end of the trip lever when the latter is in the latched position but to engage it when it is unlatched.

When one of the trip pawls 116 is engaged by the trip lever it is rotated slightly, thus releasing the plunger 32 and allowing the corresponding switch 122 to close. Continued rotation of the disk causes the trip pawl to snap past the hooked end of the trip lever and in so doing to relatch it with the armature 14, the energization of which is only momentary. This movement also recloses the momentarily opened contacts 24, as will be readily apparent. Two cam plates 118 are secured to the edge of the disk each having four cam projections 120 which positively disengage the trip lever immediately after it has passed the corresponding trip pawls.

The switch 122 which has been closed is reopened and re-engaged with its trip pawl by means of a xed cam surface 52 (Fig. 2) which engages the rounded end of plunger 32 to open the switch and to again bring the groove in the plunger in register with the spring-pressed trip pawl 36. This cam surface is situated just in advance of the trip lever.

In the order in which they travel, the trip pawls and switches will be referred to as D, C, B,

A, these being the designations of the hole positions on the Peirce card in the order in which they pass the reading brushes in an electrical statistical machine.

As an example, the following code illustrated in Fig. 4 may be employed for the twelve numerals 0 to 11; 0-A, 1--B, 2-A, B, 3-C, 4-B, C, 5-A, C, 6-D, 7-C, D, 8-B, D, 9--A, D, 10-B, C, D, 11-A, B, C.

If the holes B, C are present in the card, the switches B and C will be closed if it is desired to register the direct number 4.

Reference is now directed to Fig. 4 in which certain parts of the device are illustrated diagrammatically for the sake of clearness.

The four switches 122 are electrically connected together in series. The four switches are connected to ve brushes 126 arranged in a radial row and carried by the rotating disk. The brushes 126 are connected to the switches 122 on one\face of the disk. Each of the three junctions of the four serially connected switchesv is connected separately to a single one of the three inner brushes of the row of live, and the two extreme (or outer) arms or terminals of the switches are connected severally to the two outer brushes, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

It will be clear, therefore, that if any switch is open, and the other three closed, the circuit can only be completed by bridging the gap between the two brushes which are connected to the two arms of the switch. The three inner brushes are of course each common to the arms of two switches, but each switch corresponds to a gap between two adjacent brushes and these four gaps will be designated D, C, B, A, in accordance with the designations of the switches.

On one side of the rotating disk is a fixed disk 130 the surface of which is traversed by the brushes 126 on the face of the rotating disk (114) which faces it, and each disk is provided with two sets of contact blocks 134 let in flush with its surface.

Parts of the disk 130 seen from the left of Fig. 2 are shown in Fig. 4.

Each set of contact blocks comprises twelve radial zones as shown best in Fig. 4 each zone being occupied by either one block or two, the lengths of the blocks being different in each case.

The purpose of the blocks is to bridge the gaps D, C, B, A in accordance with the code set out above and so to complete the circuit in which the brushes are placed in series. Dealing with the contact blocks 134 (Fig. 4) it should be explained that the numerical values of the impulse, in the order in which they occur, is 11, 10, 9 2. 1, 0 to agree with the usual mode of Zone I Value (mp0s) lo be closed and C and (l (two blocks) nml li Li and C and l) (two blocks) and l.) (two blocks)r B and l) and l) C and l) (two blocks) C and I) Assume that the holes vB and C are punched in the card. The switches B and C will be closed. It is therefore necessary to bridge the gaps A and D (Fig. 4). On referring to the table and to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the gaps A and D are bridged at the eighth zone, the numerical value of which is 4.

The two outer brushes of each set of five are connected to two additional brushes 127, 129 respectively (not shown in Fig. 4) which bear upon two continuous contact strips 135, 137 (Figs. 2 and 5) extending the full circumferential length of the twelve zones, and these two contact strips are placed in the operating circuit of the Hollerth counter or like registering or recording device depending for its operation upon the time of an impulse.

Although an arrangement has been described suitable for the duodecimal system, it is evident that, the appropriate changes being made, an arrangement suitable for the decimal system would be similar in all respects.

There will now be described a construction whereby cards of the Peirce type may be sorted by means of a sorting mechanism such as is described in the copending application of E. A. Ford, Serial No. 748,347 filed November 7, 1927. A sorting mechanism-of this kind is in part illustrated in Fig. 6 modied in accordance with this invention. It comprises a number of resilient blades 200 the upturned forward ends of which rest upon a plate 202 which constitutes the armature of an electromagnet 204 placed beneath it. These upturned ends are yspaced apart by distances equal to the normal spacing of the hole positions on the Hollerith card, and (in the construction described in the aforesaid specification) a brush is arranged to read any desired column on the card and to cause the magnet 204 to be energized when a hole in the card reaches the brush. When this happens, the plate 202 is moved downwards. The card meanwhile has advanced between the plate 202 and the upturned ends of the blades. Consequently those blade ends which are in advance of the leading edge of the card are lowered beneath the level of the card, which in its further movement will travel between a certain pair of blades, which lead to a card receptacle. The particular receptacle which receives the card evidently depends on the time at which the magnet is enerj@ of a hole in the card bears no direct relation to lthe value' represented thereby.

scribed in the circuit of a magnet 10 operatingy the ltrip lever 16 of the analyzing device previously described` by the numeral 208 in Fig. 7. The brush 206 is one card cycle in advance of the position it occupies in the construction described in the specification aforesaid.

The circuits 210 leading from the contact strip 135..(see Fig. 7) are connected, through the usual card contacts 212, and cam operated contacts 216,` to the winding of the magnet 204. The usual series relay contacts 214 are provided.

It will be apparent that the holes in the column for which the brush 206 is set will operate the appropriate switches 122 and that the brushes 126 (see Fig. 4) will make contact during the ensuing card cycle at a moment depending on the value of the hole or holes which were present in the aforesaid column. Thus the card will pass between the appropriate pair of blades 200 as in the arrangement described in the aforesaid specification.

Fig. 8 illustrates a device which is-employed when it is desired to sort Peirce type cards lin which (see Fig. 3) there are three four hole elds one above the other. The device 208 is similar to that previously described but of three-fold form. Only one half `of the device is indicated in Fig. S; it is to be understood that there are two series of twelve trip pawls 116 and two sets of three contact blockv assemblies 134.

As the cards can only be sorted for one of the three card fields at a time, only one of the three leads 220, 222, 224, each controlled by one of the three contact block assemblies, must be in circuit with the magnet 204 at any time. A switch 226 is therefore provided to enable any one of the three leads to be connected to the magnet.

Furthermore, it will be apparent that the timing of the energization of the magnet 204 must be related to the progress of the leading edge of the card, whichever one of the three card 4fields is being used. The three sets of brushes 126 are accordingly arranged in staggered or stepped relationship as shown. The outer contact block assembly, allocated to the first card field, will be operative later by one-third of the complete index point cycle than the intermediate assembly, and the latter will also be operative one-third of a cycle later than the innermost assembly, which is allocated to the third or final card field.

This will result, as will readily be understood, in the correct operation of the device since the card has farthest to travel, between the reading of the holes and the energization of the magnet, when the rst field is being used, a less distance when the second eld is being used and the least distance when the third field is in use.

Alternatively the sets of brushes may be arranged in line radially and the contact block as semblies may be displaced; or both the brushes and the assemblies may be in line radially and a suitable rotary distributor may be employed to bring about the necessary variation in the timing.

I claim:

l. A card sorting machine comprising card analyzing mechanism, means forming a plurality of card distributing passagenand spaced from the analyzing mechanism to permit the data bearing portion of the card to clear the analyzing mechanism before the card reaches the passage forming means, means controlled by the analyzing mechanism during card analysis for determining the selection of a distributing passage and means controlled thereby and including the analyzed card as a passage producing element for effecting the'operation of the passage forming means to select a passage when the card reaches the same.

2. A card sorting machine comprising card analyzing mechanism, means forming 'a plurality of card distributing passages and spaced from the analyzing mechanism I to permit the data bearing portion of the card to clear the analyzing mechanism before the card reaches the passage forming means, means controlled by the analyzing mechanism during card analysis for determining the selection of a distributing passage vand means controlled thereby and including the analyzed card as a passage opening element for effecting operation of the passage forming means to select a passage for itself when the card reaches the passage forming means.

3. A combinational hole card sorter comprising card analyzing means for successively searching index points of a combination, a translator device controlled thereby to convert combinational readings into single differentially timed electrical impulses and card distributing mechanism controlled by the differentially timed electrical impulses and including the analyzed cards as the passage forming means to distribute the cards according to their analysis.

4. A combinational hole card sorter comprising card analyzing means for successively searching index points of a combination, a translator device controlled thereby to convert combinational readings into timed impulses, passage. forming means and means cooperating with said passage forming means and controlled by the impulses and including an analyzed card as a passage producing element to select a passage for itself according to its analysis by the analyzing means.

5. A combinational hole card sorter comprising card analyzing means for searching index points of a combination while the card bearing them is in motion, a translator device controlled by the analyzing means to convert combinational readings into timed impulses, passage forming means and means cooperating therewith and controlled by the impulses and including an analyzed4 card as a passage producing element to select a passage for itself according to its analysis by the analyzing means.

6. A` combinational hole card sorting machine comprising card analyzing means for successively searching index points of a combination, a plurality 'of settable elements corresponding in number to the index point positions on a card, a common operating member controlled by the analyzing means for selectively operating said elements, means for operatively associating said elements with said member successively to effect combinational settings of the same, means forming a plurality of distributing passages and means controlled by said settable elements and including an analyzed card for selecting passages for analyzed cards in accordance with combinational settings of said elements.

7. A combinational hole card sorting machine comprising card analyzing means for successively searching index points of a combination, a plurality of settable elements corresponding in number and serial order to the index point positions on a card, a common operating member controlled by the analyzing means for selectively operating said elements, means for operatively associating each of said elements with said member `as the corresponding index point position is being searched by the analyzing mechanism, means forming a plurality of distributing passages and means controlled by said settable elements for selecting passages and including the analyzed card for analyzed cards in accordance with combinational settings of said elements.

8. A sorting machine for comblnational hole cards bearing a plurality of successive data bearing fields, analyzing means for searching the several card elds successively, means controlled by the analyzing means for converting combinational readings into single differentially timed electrical impulses, passage forming means, and means controlled by a single diierentially timed electrical impulse for selecting a passage according to card analysis and selective means for associating any selected card field with said converting means to permit card distribution according to the data onv any eld.

, 9. In a sorting machine for records bearing combinational index points, means comprising a single analyzing element for successively searching the individual index points of a combination, a plurality of adjustable elements each coordinated to a certain index point position, means under control of the anlyzing element for adjusting an element only if the corresponding index point is located in the card analyzed, said elements being adapted for reciprocal cooperartion with each other, a sorting mechanism, and

means to control said sorting mechanism, the last named means being under the control of the reciprocal cooperation of a plurality of said adjustable elements, or an element singly, and effective to control the sorting mechanism during a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle.

10. In a sorting machine for records bearing combinational index points, means comprising a singlev element for analyzing said index points While the records are in motlon, a plurality of sets of normally open switches dilerentially cooperating with each other and each set closed under control of the analyzing element to represent the combinational vindex points, a latch for each switch to normally hold the related switch open, means whereby said analyzing element releases only the latches of the switches to be closed, a sorting mechanism and means to control said sorting mechanism, said controlling means being under the control of said elements and effective during a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle.

l1. In a sorting machine for records bearing combinational index points, means for successively analyzing the individual index points of a combination, a plurality of settable elements each coordinated to a certain index point position and settable to represent the related index point,

means under control of the analyzing meansl alone for setting an element only if a corresponding index point is located, said elements being adapted for reciprocal cooperation with each ot er, a sorting mechanism and means to contijd said sorting mechanism, said means being u der the control of the reciprocal cooperation of said elements and effective during a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle.

12. In a sorting machine for records bearing combinational index points, means comprising a single element means for successively analyzing the individual index points of a combination while the record is in uninterrupted motion, a plurality of elements each coordinated to a certain index point position, a carrier for carrying said elements, means for rotating said carrier in order that each element may be adjusted under control of said analyzing element when the respective index point is located, said elements being adapted for reciprocal cooperation with each other, a sorting mechanism and means to control said sorting mechanism, said controlling means being under the control of the reciprocal cooperation of a plurality of said adjustable elements, or an element singly, and effective during a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle` 13. In a sorting machine for records having combinational index points, analyzing means therefor, a plurality of devices reciprocally cooperating with each other and successively ad-ly justed under the control of said analyzing means a rotatable carrier for said devices, means \for successively adjusting the devices during the rotation of said carrier synchronously with the analyzing of the index points of a record, means to interpret the diierent reciprocal cooperations of the devices into a unitary result, a sorting mechanism, and controlling means for said sorting mechanism controlled by said interpreting means and effective during a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle.

14. In a sorting machine for records having combinational index points, means comprising a single element for successively analyzing said index points while the records are in motion, a plurality of elements operable to different controlling positions, each element when operated being ina diiierent position with respect to the remaining unoperated elements, means under control of the analyzing element alone for operating an element only if a corresponding index point is located, means to intepret the relationship between all operated elements as a unitary result, a sorting mechanism, and controlling means for said sorting mechanism controlled by said interpreting means and eiectiveduring a cycle of operation subsequent to the analyzing cycle.

15. In a sorting machine for records having combinational index points, analyzing means, a pair of similar translators for a single card columncontrolled by said analyzing means, each of said translators consisting of reading-in means for receiving successive readings from said analyzing means and reading-out means effective during a single reading out operation and controlled by said reading-in means to emit single diierentially timed impulses, means whereby the reading means of the translators are successively controlled by the analyzing means, a sorting mechanism and controlling means for the sorting mechanism successively controlled by both of the reading-out means.

16. In a sorting machine, comprising, in con bination, a single analyzing element for successively analyzing combination holes in records, a plurality of elements, a sorting mechanism for variously distributing records. operating means for each element comprising a single magnet concontacts each set coordinated to a certain index 50 point position, a sorting mechanism for variously distributing records, operating means comprising a magnet for said sets of contacts controlled by said analyzing means, means whereby said magnet causes a change in the position of the contacts and means cooperating with said sets of operated contacts to eiect different record distribution according to Whether said sets of contacts are operated either singly or a plurality in combinations.

18. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards, analyzing means, comprising a single device for analyzing index points representing any digital value by different combinations, a magnet reading-in means, means whereby said magnet causes a change in the position of said contacts under control of said analyzing means during one machine cycle in accordance with index points of controlling records, a sorting mechanism, reading-out means for controlling said sorting mechanism, said reading-out means being controlled by said reading-in means and including means to render said controlling operation effective during a subsequent machine cycle.

19. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for.

record cards, record analyzing means comprising a single device for analyzing combinational index points representing any digital value by different combinations of index points, a shiftable element carrying a plurality of reading-in means one of which is in position during one machine cycle for control by said analyzing means in accordance with index points of the records, and reading-out means, cooperating with said reading-in means in either of the two positions of said element eiective to emit differentially timed sorting impulses during a subsequent machine cycle and sorting mechanism controlled by the reading-out means to effect sorting of the records according to their analysis.

20. In a machine for sorting record cards bearing data representing index points arranged in combinations to express any digital value by different combinations of index points, analyzing means for successively searching the index points, means operable to convert the combinational hole designation to a single unitary result, and means including the records as a passage forming means to accordingly distribute the record card during a cycle of operation subsequent to the cycle in which the record was being analyzed.

21. In a machine for sorting record cards bearing data representing index points, arranged in different combinations to express any digital4 value, means including the record as a passage forming means for sorting record cards in accordance with the combinational index points of said cards, analyzing means comprising a single element for controlling said sorting means, and means whereby said analyzing means and sorting means operate, with respect to the card analyzed and sorted, in alternating sequence and during d iiferent cycles of operation.

22. In a record sorting machine in combination, sorting blades for directing the records to the desired compartment, record analyzing means for analyzing records in motion containing perforations in various combinationsV to represent any digital value, sorting blade controlling devices, and feeding means arranged with the aid of a previously analyzed record to direct said record to the desired compartment determined by the controlling devices and out of cooperation with the analyzing means while the analyzing means is analyzing a succeeding record.

23. In a sorting machine, having in the combination with sorting mechanism for sorting records to the desired compartment, of an analyz'ng device for analyzing records in motion having index points in different combinations, a plurality of translators arranged to convert the combinational reading to a differential time equivalent and connections whereby the translators alternately control the sorting mechanism.

24. In a record sorting machine, a plurality of groups of devices each group set-up as the combinational index points of a record are being analyzed while the record is in motion, sorting mechanism, and connections whereby one group of setup devices is interpreted to control during a single interpretation the sorting mechanism while the other group of devices is being set-up under control of a succeedng record.

25. In a record sorting machine, sorting mechanism, analyzing devices for analyzing records in motion bearing index points in different combinations to represent any digital value, a plurality of groups of devices each group set-up under control of the analyzing devices, and connections whereby one group of set-up devices is interpreted and during a single interpretation controls the sorting mechanism while the other group is being set-up under control of the combinational index points of a succeeding record.

26. In a record sorting machine, sorting mechanism, a plurality of groups of devices each group set up alternately with the other and as the combinational index points of a record are being analyzed while the record is in motion, and means for interpreting the combinational set-up of each group of devices once as the other is being set up for converting the combinational reading into time differential equivalents to control the sorting mechanism.

27. In a sorting machine, a card distributing `mechanism, means for analyzing the combinational designations of a record and setting up contacts to represent the combinations, a rotatable member carrying said contacts and brushes which are electrically connected to said contacts and a commutator cooperating with sat' d brushes so that when the member is in a certain position a control circuit will be closed through the contacts set-up and said brushes to thereby translate the setting of the contacts into a time diierential equivalent, and means whereby the control circu't controls the card distributing mechanism.

28. In a perforated record sorting machine, a plurality of sets of electrical circuit contacts adapted to be set in combinations to represent the perforation positions in a column of a record, means for sensing the perforation positions while the record is in motion and adapted to cause closure of one or more of said pairs of contacts, a commutator, a rotatable disk carrying said contacts and brushes associated with said rst named sets of contacts and adapted to cooperate with said commutator to control the disposition of the card.

CHARLES CAMPBELL. 

